FBI Targets Users in Crackdown on Darknet Marketplaces

Washington — 

Darknet users, beware: If you frequent criminal marketplaces in the internet’s underbelly, think again. Chances are you’re in the FBI’s crosshairs. The FBI is cracking down on sites that peddle everything from guns to stolen personal data, and it is not only going after the sites’ administrators but also their users.

A recent surge in ransomware attacks and other malicious cyber activities has fueled the effort to shut down services that cater to online criminals. But shutting down the marketplaces has proven ineffective. With each takedown, a new iteration pops up drawing users with it.

Which is why the FBI is eyeing both the operators and users of these sites. “We’re not only trying to attack the supply side, but we’re also attacking the demand side with the users,” a senior FBI official said during a Wednesday briefing on the agency’s takedown of Genesis Market, a large online criminal marketplace. “There’s consequences if you’re going to be using these types of sites to engage in this type of activity.” The darknet, the hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed by a special browser, has long been home to various criminal marketplaces and forums.

One type of criminal marketplace there specializes in buying and selling illegal items, such as drugs, firearms and fraudulently obtained gift cards. Another type of market trades in sensitive data, such as stolen credit cards, bank account details and other information that can be used for criminal activity. These sites are known as “data stores.”

In recent years, a new breed of cyber criminals has emerged. Known as “initial access brokers,” these criminals specialize in selling access to compromised computer networks. Among their customers: ransomware gangs.

The takedown on Tuesday of Genesis Market, a 5-year-old criminal marketplace described by officials as an “initial access broker,” offers a window into this type of cyber-criminal activity. It also shows how the FBI is increasingly going after users of criminal marketplaces and not just their administrators. U.S. officials said Genesis Market was not only a seller of stolen account access credentials but was also “one of the most prolific” initial access brokers operating on the darknet.

Describing it as a “key enabler of ransomware,” the Justice Department said Genesis Market sold “the type of access sought by ransomware actors to attack computer networks in the United States and around the world.” The site went dark on Tuesday after the FBI, working with law enforcement agencies in nearly 20 countries, including the U.K. and Canada, took it offline and arrested nearly 120 people. In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland hailed the operation as “an unprecedented takedown of a major criminal marketplace that enabled cybercriminals to victimize individuals, businesses, and governments around the world.”

Genesis is one of two popular cyber-criminal marketplaces taken down by the FBI in the past month. In March, the FBI shut down Breach Forums, a criminal forum and marketplace that boasted more than 340,000 members. On the Breach Forums website, users discussed tools and techniques for hacking and exploiting hacked information, according to the Justice Department.

“We’re going after the users who leverage a service like Genesis Market, and we are doing that on a global scale,” the FBI official said. To take down Genesis Market, the FBI and its international law enforcement partners seized its servers and domains. In doing so, the FBI was able to obtain information about 59,000 individual user accounts, a senior Justice Department official said during the briefing.

The information included usernames, passwords, email accounts, secure messenger accounts and user histories, the official said. “And those records helped law enforcement uncover the true identities of many of the users,” the official said. The users ran the gamut from online fraudsters to ransomware criminals.

Some of the users were in the U.S., officials said, declining to provide any other details about them.

They were among the 119 people arrested around the world in connection with Genesis Market takedown.

Tags:

matches-fashion listed on couponmatrix.ukmillets listed on couponmatrix.ukmytyres listed on couponmatrix.ukthe-north-face listed on couponmatrix.ukscotts-menswear listed on couponmatrix.uksquarespace listed on couponmatrix.uk
matches-fashion listed on couponmatrix.ukMATCHESFASHION is the ultimate shopping destination for those who want a luxury designer wardrobe. Stocking brands like Gucci, Prada and Halpern, MATCHESFASHION has curated a to-die-for selection of timeless picks and trendsetting pieces. Make the most of a MATCHES FASHION discount code to save on your next must-have outfit—whether you’re going for understated elegance or cocktail-hour glam, you’ll find a piece you’re bound to love for years to come!
millets listed on couponmatrix.ukFor over a century, Millets has been synonymous with outdoor wear, starting life in 1893 when J.M Millet opened stores in Southampton and Bristol. Today Millets has 97 stores nationwide and is still regarded as one of the best destinations on the high street for camping and outdoor adventure gear. Pick up a Millets discount code and save a pretty penny on everything you need for your next expedition!
mytyres listed on couponmatrix.ukMytyres.co.uk is one of the UK's leading online tyre retailers. They offer a wide range of tyres from all the major brands, as well as a selection of budget and mid-range options. You can always find a mytyres.co.uk voucher code to help you save on your purchase. Whether you're looking for a new set of tyres for your car or motorcycle, you're sure to find what you need at mytyres.co.uk. At Groupon, we work hard to find the best mytyres.co.uk voucher codes and discounts so you can save money on your purchase. We know that new tyres can be a big expense, however, we know they are essential no matter the weather so we want to help you save as much money as possible. Drive safely with high-quality products all year around and check back often for the latest mytyres.co.uk discount codes and deals. One of the top-performing mytyres.co.uk products is their all-season tyres. Suitable to have all year around, the all-season tyres are made to keep you moving, no matter the weather. Mytyres.co.uk caters products for all types of vehicles, so why wait? Try the high-quality tyres from mytyres.co.uk today and make your drives more comfortable! Don’t forget to check our page for the latest mytyres.co.uk discount codes to save extra money off your purchases!
the-north-face listed on couponmatrix.ukThe North Face started out with a mission to make sure outdoor athletes could always count on their gear no matter how bad the weather was. Clothing made for the purpose of traversing rugged terrain also makes for the perfect, stylish winter getup in day to day living. Now that The North Face and Groupon have linked up, you can use a North Face discount code to secure a great deal on all of this top class gear.
scotts-menswear listed on couponmatrix.ukFor cool and casual clothing for men, look no further than Scotts Menswear. Shop the latest gear at Scotts from Fred Perry, Pretty Green, Lacoste, Paul & Shark with the help of a Scotts discount code to get your clothing, accessories and footwear fix for far less. Use your savings to bag a bargain on shoes, underwear, sunglasses and other accessories too and complete a full outfit with stellar savings.
squarespace listed on couponmatrix.ukAnyone can create a beautiful website with Squarespace. With stand-out templates, handy website tools and ’round the clock customer support, it’s the stuff web designers once dreamed of. At Groupon, we monitor all the live Squarespace promo codes and offers, so if you’re looking for a discount on your Squarespace plan, you’re in the right place! Dream up the perfect website with Squarespace, and let Groupon make the money-saving part simple.